Is Free Republic worth saving?

[Darksheare]

You weren’t part of the FReepathon team that got harrassed by him and his cohorts.
So it is easy for you to say.

[AppyPappy]

True but I am also not very thin-skinned. The AF crowd won’t like it but I’m guessing they have done less damage than the “I’m obsessed with your religion” crowd.

It’s a political forum, not a cult. If FR was meaningless, there wouldn’t even be an AF crowd. Just sayin’.

[Lakeshark]

I still don’t think folks who wish BobJ back unreasonably so, are trolls.

I know you and MinuteGal (aka Leni) aren't trolls, I don't know Deb, but with a charitable guess will say she's in the same category.

That being said, what I saw being done by BobJ was bad enough for me to opine he should post elsewhere for a long, long time; if I were JR I would make it the rest of his life. Fortunately I don't have to make those decisions.

[Darksheare]

I have a great idea:
Those who want BobJ back should post a thread lobbying for such!
Extoll his virtues, his patronage of the arts, etc etc.
They just shouldn’t be surprised when those of us who had to deal with his trolls, trolling, and BS say such.

[DoughtyOne]

So what you’re saying is that he never should have worked on projects for F. R.? Just trying to get it straight. You don’t want folks to participate or lead out in Free Republic events on the off-side chance they may one day have a falling out here. Is that it?

Believe me, I recognize blind stupidity when I see it.

[DoughtyOne]

I’m not arguing that you should leave if that’s your question.

Once again, you cannot understand that a certain person spent over a decade doing good things here, leading out in some important ways.

Now all you can think about is how it all ended. It wasn’t good. Nobody has defended it, and yet that’s all you can focus on.

Get a grip.

[Darksheare]

That same person spent quite a bit of effort trying to harm FR.
You need to get a grip.
Post 407links to two of his posts.
If you are brave enough to read them for what they are.

[DoughtyOne]

BobJ actively, for YEARS, has tried to harm FR and Jim Robinson.  Who said he hadn't?  Who said they didn't care?  Who said he should have done this?

He also sent trolls after me simply because I worked the FReepathon. He said he KNEW that I was a Mod and had "inside information". I am not and never have been.  Okay, then he was wrong to do so.  We agree.

He is a liar of the first water and a bitter fool and I view any friend of his with scepticism.  You can view me with skepticism.  I don't agree with BobJ, but I don't turn on people who are my friends.  I merely tell them I don't agree with what they are doing.  I take a very dim view of people who take Jim to task, or try to do things that affect him or the forum negatively.  I am not a troll.  I know Deb and MinuteGal aren't.

Oh and there ARE links in post 407.  I asked for them prior to post 407.  He provided them in 407.

You must have missed them. Ragu happens to be the retread incarnation of BobJ.  I didn't miss them, but I appreciate your concern.

[DoughtyOne]

Once again, I have not made the claim he didn’t. Please folks, if you can’t keep up don’t participate.

[DoughtyOne]

I don’t honestly disagree with that. I started this by putting my two cents worth out there, including a defense of Deb and MinuteGal, and saying in that very first post I didn’t think it was reasoned to think BobJ would ever be back here.

So basically we all agree, and we keep rehashing this pointlessly.

[DoughtyOne]

I have a great idea:  Oh boy...

Those who want BobJ back should post a thread lobbying for such!  I'm not sure what was in Deb's and MinuteGal's heart, but I think they probably wish he could be a part of the program again, but I think they realize BobJ cut his own throat here.  I wouldn't ask Jim to return BobJ to the forum.  There's too much bad blood, and it would be insulting to Jim to ask him for a determination.

My emphasis has been that Deb and MinuteGal are good people.  I don't think they would excuse the actions BobJ felt compelled to carry out.  I don't.  You just don't make points by going postal, even if you have a good reason.  It's personally destructive.  BobJ didn't accomplish anything other than to cause folks who liked and cared for him to feel angst over his melt-down.  It's one thing to lament someone's departure and wish things were different.  It's another to overlook a mountain of problems and act as if they never took place, sans an appology and effort to make things right.  And sometimes, that isn't even possible, making things right.

Reread my earlier posts.  I'm not advocating for BobJ.  I am merely remembering the good as well as the bad.

There's nothing wrong with that.

Extoll his virtues, his patronage of the arts, etc etc.  You really do have a vivid imagination.  I lament BobJ going off the deep end.  I lament him feeling like that was his option.  I think he was wrong.  In life you sometimes have to suck it up.

They just shouldn’t be surprised when those of us who had to deal with his trolls, trolling, and BS say such.  I don't have a problem with you mentioning what BobJ was up to.  I do have a problem when you address MinuteGal the way you did.  She is a good person.  She has worked on a number of projects for the forum and the Network when it was up and running.  If we didn't support Jim, we wouldn't be here.  I respect Jim and I told him so when I linked him to what I had to say on this topic.  I wanted him to know that I don't hold him responsible for BobJ's actions, and I didn't want him to think I did because I made comments here.  BobJ is responsible for his actions, and I have yet to see anyone defend him for those actions.  Despite this you still reference them as if there was some disagreement on the topic of those actions.

Seriously, do you have a learning impairment?

[Darksheare]

No, but you have a listening and comprehension problem.
But do go on.
You’ve been told by three people so far about bobj’s behavior and two links were provided at no extra cost which you ignored.
“But he’s such a great guy!”
Wunderbar..make a thread of it and provide us with the details!

[DoughtyOne]

That same person spent quite a bit of effort trying to harm FR.  How many times and how many ways have you said that now?  How many times has anyone disagreed with your premise?  The answer you're looking for is zero.  Why do you insist on carrying on a one sided argument, as if I was challenging everything you are saying?  I have said I disagree with BobJ's actions.  Do you understand the meaning of that?

You need to get a grip.  I have not disagreed with you regarding BobJ's actions.  You still pound away at the topic as if I did.  Then you tell me I need to get a grip.  Don't you think that's rather strang?  I'll admit that I do.

Post 407 links to two of his posts.  If you are brave enough to read them for what they are.  Once again...  I am not, have not, and don't intend on arguing with you about BobJ's actions.  I disagreed with them then, and I disagree with them now.  I do know another side of BobJ and I wish that side had prevailed.  It didn't.  I'm not confused about that at all, and it boggles the mind that you are having such a hard time coming to terms with this reality.

What is it that you think I'm missing here?  BobJ screwed up. I agree.  Some folks wish he hadn't done the Swan Song on the forum, and that he was still around.  None the less, we understand why he is gone, and are sorry it had to turn out like this.

Why must you be outraged over this?  What big sin do you think we are committing here?  Why don't you list 1 through whatever and I'll address each infraction.

[Darksheare]

I’m serious.
If he’s gosh such a great guy then lobby to bring him aboard then.
He’s been shown to be otherwise by his own in forum posts.
But don’t let that stop you.
Obviously you aren’t.

[DoughtyOne]

No, but you have a listening and comprehension problem.  Okay, what have I missed? You tell me where I expressed a lack of understanding on an issue.

But do go on.  Oh I plan on it.

You’ve been told by three people so far about bobj’s behavior and two links were provided at no extra cost which you ignored.  Where have I expressed disbelief with what BobJ did that was wrong?  What did I ignore?  Link me to where I said you were lying, being untruthful with regard to BobJ, or made any other challenge to your truthfulness?

“But he’s such a great guy!”  I said that he spent over a decade on this forum doing good things.  Yes, he was a great guy.  I also said I lament his actions in the end.  Link me to where I excused his bad actions here?  Link me to where I made the case that Jim would be wrong not to reinstate him.  In short, I haven't done anything that contradicts what you have been up to here, other than to ask you to please be respectful to Deb and MinuteGal.  And this has you so riled up, you can't see straight.

Wunderbar..make a thread of it and provide us with the details!  No.  There's no need to.  In the end BobJ did what you and others have said he did, and that is the over-riding factor here.  It's why I haven't asked for him to be reinstated.  I said I didn't think it would ever happen.  Tell me bud, what the hell do you have to complain about with me?  I'm not challenging your claims.  I have said I don't agree with his actions either.  So far, that isn't good enough for you either.

Do you even know what it would take to make you happy?

[DoughtyOne]

Okay, then you can't think of even one thing you think I did was wrong.  Well, then we're in agreement.

I’m serious.  About what?

If he’s gosh such a great guy then lobby to bring him aboard then.  Please link me to where I stated he should be reinstated.

He’s been shown to be otherwise by his own in forum posts.  I have agreed, but so far you haven't expressed comprehension of that fact.

But don’t let that stop you.  Stop me from what?  Link me to where I stated he should be reinstated.

Obviously you aren’t.  If you can't link me to where I said he should be reinstated, then I think it's safe to say I haven't advocated for it.

[Darksheare]

Do you have any idea why cheer leading for right haven was such a bad thing?
Why continue to belabor it when it is obvious from bobj’s known and observed behavior that he will never be welcome here because he doesn’t want to be here?
That he does not care for FR, and lies about the site owner?
That doesn’t bother you one bit?
No, it’s only about what good you think he did years ago.
Not his behavior over the course of years where he lied and lied and claimed insider info?
That doesn’t matter to you at all?

Serious, put your money where your mouth is.
Post a thread lobbying for his return.
Adult enough to do it?

[DoughtyOne]

Out-takes from my very first post on this thread.  LINK

Do you have any idea why cheer leading for right haven was such a bad thing?
Some of us on the sidelines of major discussions will observe our friends, wish that things could have been handled differently. We will experience sorrow that partings of the ways take place in life. I know I gain no joy from this.
...I didn’t always agree with everything BobJ did.  Sometimes good friends get tweaked, they act out and there are no real winners when it come to the outcome.  Sometimes our friends do things we wish they wouldn’t. Sometimes good friends go on liking people despite wishing they hadn’t done some of the things they have.

Why continue to belabor it when it is obvious from bobj’s known and observed behavior that he will never be welcome here because he doesn’t want to be here?
Sometimes our wishes are not very realistic, but then wishes are ours to harbor.

That he does not care for FR, and lies about the site owner?
Some of us on the sidelines of major discussions will observe our friends, wish that things could have been handled differently. We will experience sorrow that partings of the ways take place in life. I know I gain no joy from this.
...I didn’t always agree with everything BobJ did.  Sometimes good friends get tweaked, they act out and there are no real winners when it come to the outcome.  Sometimes our friends do things we wish they wouldn’t. Sometimes good friends go on liking people despite wishing they hadn’t done some of the things they have.

That doesn’t bother you one bit?
Some of us on the sidelines of major discussions will observe our friends, wish that things could have been handled differently. We will experience sorrow that partings of the ways take place in life. I know I gain no joy from this.
...I didn’t always agree with everything BobJ did.  Sometimes good friends get tweaked, they act out and there are no real winners when it come to the outcome.  Sometimes our friends do things we wish they wouldn’t. Sometimes good friends go on liking people despite wishing they hadn’t done some of the things they have.

No, it’s only about what good you think he did years ago.
Some of us on the sidelines of major discussions will observe our friends, wish that things could have been handled differently. We will experience sorrow that partings of the ways take place in life. I know I gain no joy from this.
...I didn’t always agree with everything BobJ did.  Sometimes good friends get tweaked, they act out and there are no real winners when it come to the outcome.  Sometimes our friends do things we wish they wouldn’t. Sometimes good friends go on liking people despite wishing they hadn’t done some of the things they have.

Not his behavior over the course of years where he lied and lied and claimed insider info?
Some of us on the sidelines of major discussions will observe our friends, wish that things could have been handled differently. We will experience sorrow that partings of the ways take place in life. I know I gain no joy from this.
...I didn’t always agree with everything BobJ did.  Sometimes good friends get tweaked, they act out and there are no real winners when it come to the outcome.  Sometimes our friends do things we wish they wouldn’t. Sometimes good friends go on liking people despite wishing they hadn’t done some of the things they have.

That doesn’t matter to you at all?
Some of us on the sidelines of major discussions will observe our friends, wish that things could have been handled differently. We will experience sorrow that partings of the ways take place in life. I know I gain no joy from this.
...I didn’t always agree with everything BobJ did.  Sometimes good friends get tweaked, they act out and there are no real winners when it come to the outcome.  Sometimes our friends do things we wish they wouldn’t. Sometimes good friends go on liking people despite wishing they hadn’t done some of the things they have.

Serious, put your money where your mouth is.
She is right to think in terms of them patching things over, and being friends. Sometimes our wishes are not very realistic, but then wishes are ours to harbor.

Post a thread lobbying for his return.
She is right to think in terms of them patching things over, and being friends. Sometimes our wishes are not very realistic, but then wishes are ours to harbor.

Adult enough to do it?
She is right to think in terms of them patching things over, and being friends. Sometimes our wishes are not very realistic, but then wishes are ours to harbor.


When I was a kid, I wished I could have the electric car from the dealer show-room floor.  I knew I'd never get it, but I wished it could happen.

BobJ made his bed.  It's obvious he's not coming back.  I can share a wish that things were different, and realize that most adults understand this does not infer advocacy.

Please link me to where I said I thought Jim should invite BobJ back.  Failing that link me to where I said Jim was wrong for not inviting BobJ back.  Failing that link me to where I defended BobJ for doing bad things.  Failing that link me to where I said BobJ did what he did because he was wronged.  Failing that link me to where I said Jim had done something that made it okay for BobJ to act like he did.

I didn't do any of that.  And so you harp on and on still not quite grasping that you are jumping to conclusions about things I never did or advocated for.

Now it's come to the point you're begging me to advocate for something I never intended to advocate for.  Very strange...

[Darksheare]

Look, again, if he’s such a great guy then SURELY a thread lobbying to bring him back won’t hurt.
If those of us who dealt with his crap are full of it, then what harm could happen?

[DoughtyOne]

Look, again, if he’s such a great guy then SURELY a thread lobbying to bring him back won’t hurt. If those of us who dealt with his crap are full of it, then what harm could happen?

I haven't disagreed with your descriptions of his actions, and yet you say, "If those of us who dealt with his crap are full of it..." Who said those of you who had to deal with him were full of it?

I said he was wrong. I did not say you were wrong.

You really are confused here.